Magpies back on top

Thursday 18 February 2010 00:00 BST

Wayne Routledge

Newcastle came from behind to see off 10-man Coventry 4-1 and move back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship at St James' Park.

Clinton Morrison's 10th of the season after 35 minutes had put the Sky Blues in front, however goals from Wayne Routledge, Andy Carroll as well as a Peter Lovenkrands penalty - which also resulted in Leon Barnett being sent off - saw the home side move three points clear.

Substitute Ryan Taylor also scored in injury time to seal a win that keeps intact Newcastle's unbeaten home record.

Coventry broke the deadlock against the run of play after the half hour-mark. Michael McIndoe surged down the left-hand side and his low cross was bundled into the far corner by Morrison.

The goal spurred Newcastle into action and they equalised two minutes later when Routledge cracked a low volley past Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood from outside the area following Stephen Wright's poor defensive header.

Lovenkrands had chipped over a cross following a short corner with Danny Guthrie and Routledge took full advantage after Wright's looping header dropped to him 25 yards out.

Jonas Gutierrez fired in a goal-bound shot just before the break that Richard Wood did well to repel, however Newcastle were not to be denied and took the lead after 53 minutes when Carroll headed home his eighth of the season following a flowing passage of play.

The striker latched onto Kevin Nolan's first-time cross after an earlier incisive reverse pass from Guthrie that left Carroll with a simple close-range chance.

Newcastle then put the game safe thanks to Lovenkrands' sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot. Routledge had seized on a loose ball and surged through only to be brought down clumsily by Barnett.

The defender received his second yellow card of the match from referee Steve Tanner and Coventry's misery was compounded when Lovenkrands slotted home the spot kick. Substitute Ryan Taylor then topped off the win with a close-range tap-in deep into injury time.